October is the month of all things scary... Your house noises don't need to be among those!
Does you house have creepy sounds that go bump in the night? Or maybe, squeak, rattle, creak or hiss? Not to worry, here's an explanation of the most common ones.
Things that squeak
Stairs - Squeaky stairs are caused by a gap in the wood. If the underside of your staircase is accessible, shims and applying construction adhesive to all visible gaps between treads and risers will do the trick.
Things that rattle, clank or bang
Duct work - If it's the fall or winter, then these sounds may coincide with turning on the heat for the first time all season. It's the sound of the ductwork in your house expanding and contracting with the change in temperature.
Water pipes - If you hear a hammering sound is coming from the walls, it could be a "pressure hammer" — air pressure in the water pipes. This might be especially pronounced after flushing a toilet or turning on a faucet. The sound doesn't have to be anywhere near that toilet or faucet, either. Since the pipes run all through the house, turning on a faucet in the kitchen could lead to a banging sound under the bedroom. Try turning off the water at the main, then draining all the lines. This often "resets" the water in the pipes, thus eliminating the hammering.
HVAC - Some noise from your heating and air-conditioning unit—namely a low hum—is normal. But if you begin to hear loud clanks and thumps it is best to have the unit checked for a loose screw or belt.
Things that bubble, hiss or whistle
Water heater - A bubbling sound coming from your water heater happens when sediment has settled at the bottom of the tank, then popped and bubbled as the water heats. This is especially true if you have a gas heated tank, as the gas can make a popping sound when it lights up. Draining your water heater of sediment can help.
Toilet - A hissing sound coming from a toilet might be the result of a leaky flapper. The flapper is the connection point between the tank and the bowl. A loose connection causes the fill valve to turn on slightly, refilling the tank due to water loss.
Furnace - If your furnace starts making a whistling sound it could mean that your filter needs to be changed. A dirty filter will cause the unit to work harder and shorten the life of the unit. Filters needs to the be changed anywhere from 1 month to 3 months depending on the existing air quality.
I hope you found this information useful and informative. Wishing you a Happy & Safe Halloween!
Best regards,
William
Sources: Realtor.com Zillow & Lifehacker.com
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